Transport: Commission sends a reasoned
opinion to Austria for failing to report on the implementation of EU legislation
to protect truck drivers

Austria has failed to report on the implementation
of EU legislation aimed at preventing truck drivers working unhealthy long
hours. The Commission today sent a reasoned opinion to this Member State, which
has until May to respond.

Under Directive 2002/15/EC Member States are required to submit a report
every two years on the implementation of the EU legislation on working time of
professionals performing mobile road transport activities. Austria failed to
submit its biennial national report for the years 2005 and 2006, which it was
obliged to do no later than 30 September 2007.

The Commission needs these reports to comply with its own obligation to
report every two years to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of the
Directive in the Member States and developments in the field.